Headline: Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Donald Trump’s Rocky Past
Introduction:
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and former President Donald Trump haven’t always seen eye-to-eye. Despite their differences, Bezos recently expressed support for Trump after a shooting incident at one of his rallies. In this article, we’ll explore the history of their tumultuous relationship and how it’s evolved over the years.
The Feud Begins:
Trump’s criticism of Bezos and his ownership of The Washington Post began in 2015. Trump claimed that Bezos only bought the newspaper to avoid paying taxes on his Amazon profits. He also referred to the publication as the "Amazon Washington Post." This marked the beginning of a long-standing feud between the two.
Bezos Takes a Stand:
In 2017, Bezos, then CEO of Amazon, wrote an email to employees stating that the company did not support Trump’s ban on immigration from Muslim-majority countries. This was a bold move, given Trump’s position on the issue.
The Meeting at the White House:
Later that year, Trump invited Bezos to the White House for a meeting with other CEOs. This meeting was seen as an opportunity for Trump to promote his administration’s technology agenda. However, the meeting was marred by controversy, with some CEOs expressing their concerns about Trump’s policies.
"Jeff Bozo" and the National Enquirer:
In 2019, Trump took aim at Bezos again, this time calling him "Jeff Bozo" in a tweet. This was in response to a report by the National Enquirer tabloid about Bezos’ alleged affair with Lauren Sánchez, a former host of "So You Think You Can Dance." Trump’s tweet was seen as a attempt to poke fun at Bezos and his personal life.
The Shooting Incident:
On Saturday, a shooting incident occurred at one of Trump’s rallies in Pennsylvania. Fortunately, Trump was not seriously injured, but several others were hurt. In the aftermath of the incident, Bezos took to X to express his support for Trump, saying that he showed "tremendous grace and courage under literal fire." Bezos also extended his condolences to the victims and their families.
Support from Other Business Leaders:
Bezos was not the only business leader to show support for Trump after the shooting incident. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Pershing Square founder Bill Ackman also endorsed Trump and wished him well. Additionally, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon offered his condolences to Trump.
Conclusion:
Despite their tumultuous past, it appears that Bezos and Trump are putting aside their differences for the time being. Bezos’ gesture of support for Trump, albeit brief, marks a significant shift in their relationship. It remains to be seen how their relationship will evolve in the future.
FAQs:
Q: What is the history of the feud between Jeff Bezos and Donald Trump?
A: The feud between Bezos and Trump began in 2015 when Trump criticized Bezos’ ownership of The Washington Post.
Q: Why did Bezos take a stand against Trump’s immigration ban?
A: Bezos, as CEO of Amazon, believed that the ban was discriminatory and did not align with the company’s values.
Q: What happened during the meeting at the White House?
A: The meeting was marred by controversy, with some CEOs expressing their concerns about Trump’s policies.
Q: Why did Trump call Bezos "Jeff Bozo"?
A: Trump called Bezos "Jeff Bozo" in response to a report about Bezos’ alleged affair with Lauren Sánchez.
Q: What happened after the shooting incident at Trump’s rally?
A: Bezos, along with other business leaders, expressed support for Trump and wished him well after the incident.
Author: fortune.com
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